1776

Publication, in the United Kingdom, of the Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith

In the Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith looks at the causes of the recent prosperity of some countries, such as England and the Netherlands. Whilst not excluding a certain role for the State, he developed the theory of the « invisible hand », according to which the individual search for profit and personal interests also contributes to the general interest, thanks to free trade and entrepreneurship and to competition.